SCRD Faculty Take Learning Beyond

Summer in the School of Community Resources and Development stays just as busy as the academic year. Faculty may not be sitting in their offices, but many are hard at work beyond the brick-and-mortar classroom, offering students immersive learning experiences.

When most people think of attending a university, they picture a traditional lecture hall. But for many students, the world is their classroom. This summer, faculty in the School of Community Resources and Development are taking learning outside the lecture hall and into communities.

Study abroad experiences take many forms, but they all share a common goal of providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to life.

To kick off the 2026 summer, Clinical Associate Professor Erin Schneiderman and Clinical Assistant Professor Steve Sassaman each led students on immersive learning journeys. While their destinations differed, both programs challenged students to engage deeply with history, culture and place.

Students taking part in these trips come from a variety of majors and academic programs across ASU. For some students, the learning extends beyond the trip itself. Daniel Weiner, a Marketing (Digital) major, chose to create a promotional video about his study abroad experience in Alaska as part of his Barrett Honors College contract this semester. His project highlights the impact these immersive experiences can have on students regardless of their field of study and how they can apply their major when traveling. Watch Daniel's video here. 

Understanding History Through Dark Tourism

Schneiderman co-led the Dark Tourism study abroad program to Belgium and France alongside Christine Holman, professor in the School of Social Transformation.

Dark tourism, also known as thanatourism, focuses on locations associated with death, disaster and human suffering. Through visits to sites connected to the Holocaust and World War II, students gained a deeper understanding of historical events and the importance of preserving memories with respect and care.

Students visited memorials and historical sites including deportation memorials in France, the Catacombs of Paris and the National Memorial of Fort Breendonk in Belgium. These experiences provided powerful opportunities to witness history where it happened and reflect on its continuing relevance.

The program also incorporated cultural experiences unique to each destination. While in Belgium, students participated in a chocolate-making workshop and explored local traditions.  While in Paris, students had to take pictures with the iconic Eiffel Tower.  Schneiderman believes balancing emotionally challenging content with cultural immersion is important both for student well-being and for honoring the communities they visit.

For many participants, the experience offers lessons beyond history. Many students that went on this study abroad trip are studying tourism as a major or minor, so they also learned how destinations associated with tragedy can provide meaningful visitor experiences while remaining respectful to those affected.

As Schneiderman reflected, “These students just leave as completely different people because they saw it.”

Exploring Sustainability in Alaska

While one group traveled across Europe, Sassaman led students north to Alaska for a different kind of immersive learning experience.

Having visited Alaska previously, Sassaman was inspired to create an opportunity for students to connect with the environment on a deeper level.

“Alaska is always one of those places that creates mystery,” Sassaman shared.

Students explored how people have adapted to life in a challenging environment through cultural systems, seasonal living and sustainable resource use. Rather than focusing on traditional tourism experiences, Sassaman designed a program that emphasized direct engagement with the land and local communities.

Students camped, rafted and hiked while learning about subsistence living from local residents and through visits to sites such as the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center. Some students also visited a local fish cannery, where they experienced harvesting and preparing fresh fish -- an experience unlike anything available in the Phoenix area.

Sassaman hopes students leave with a broader understanding of sustainability and a greater appreciation for the idea that just because something is available does not mean it is necessary.

One of the most important lessons, he said, is learning to become comfortable with discomfort.

“Working through those challenges or discomfort for growth is really critical,” Sassaman explained.

Different Destinations, Shared Lessons

Although the two programs focused on different subjects, both encouraged students to be fully present and mindful of the places they visited.

An important lesson across both experiences was the value of respecting the communities, histories and environments encountered along the way. Through that respect, students developed meaningful connections to both the past and present.

Reflection and debriefing were also essential components of each program. Students were given opportunities to process what they learned and consider how those lessons might apply to their own lives and future careers.

Faculty say some of their favorite moments come from watching students grow in confidence as travelers and independent learners. Whether students were examining the consequences of intolerance and hatred in Europe or witnessing the impacts of climate change in Alaska, they were challenged to see the world from new perspectives.

Ultimately, these experiences demonstrate the power of education beyond the classroom. By providing opportunities for students to grow through both intellectual and personal challenges, faculty help prepare them to succeed long after the trip ends.

Looking Ahead

Students interested in future experiential learning opportunities have access to several resources. Scholarships from ASU Jewish Studies and support from a private donor help make the Dark Tourism program accessible, while the Outdoor Connections Fund provides assistance for students participating in outdoor experiences.

Students looking for shorter opportunities can also explore one-credit Outdoor Experience courses offered during the fall and spring semesters.  These classes take students out in nature with learning centered around recreation activities like rock climbing, hiking, camping and kayaking.

More Opportunities Around the Globe

While students explored Europe and Alaska this summer, additional study abroad opportunities continue to expand within the School of Community Resources and Development.

Each June, students can participate in Kenya: The Role of Tourism and Park Management in Sustainable Community Development, an immersive experience that examines the relationship between tourism, conservation and community development.

This fall also marks the inaugural London Sports Event Experience, which coincides with Sun Devil Athletics' first football game in London as part of the Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium. Students will engage with sport venues, events and local communities to explore the impacts of sports tourism firsthand.

Both experiences have completed registrations for 2026, highlighting strong student interest in experiential learning opportunities. Students interested in participating should watch for 2027 program announcements and application information.